Conor Bradley Aims for 2026 World Cup with Northern Ireland
FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Slovakia vs. Northern Ireland
Venue: Košice, Slovakia Date: Friday, 14 November Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Coverage: Live on BBC Two NI, BBC Three, and BBC iPlayer; live audio commentary available on BBC Sports Extra, BBC Radio Ulster, and BBC Sounds, along with live text commentary and in-play clips on the BBC Sport website and app.
Liverpool defender Conor Bradley expressed his ambition to play for Northern Ireland at the 2026 World Cup, stating it would be a dream come true. Michael O'Neill's squad currently sits third in qualifying Group A, trailing both Germany and Slovakia by three points with two matches remaining.
Northern Ireland will face Slovakia in Košice on Friday before concluding their campaign at home against Luxembourg three days later. The group winner will qualify automatically for next summer's tournament in North America, while the runners-up will enter the March playoffs.
"It would be special to reach a major tournament with my country; it's something I dream of," Bradley said. "We understand how challenging it is, and it hasn't happened often in the past, but I have complete faith in this group of players. We have a really good team with talented young players. Hopefully, we can make it happen."
Bradley, one of five players in the Northern Ireland squad currently playing in the Premier League, arrives at the international window after a demanding week with Liverpool. He played a crucial role in limiting Vinicius Jr.'s impact during their 1-0 Champions League victory over Real Madrid last week, before facing Jeremy Doku in a Premier League match against Manchester City on Sunday.
He believes these experiences have prepared him well for the upcoming international fixtures. "Those are two completely different players. Vinicius was challenging due to his speed and skill, while Doku is also quick and skilled but very strong," Bradley noted. "It's been a tough week, but competing against top players really prepares you for future challenges. I enjoy facing the best and hope this experience helps me in the upcoming matches."
The 22-year-old has been a consistent presence in Liverpool's lineup under manager Arne Slot this season, making 16 appearances across all competitions. After missing the start of the season due to a hamstring injury, he believes that staying injury-free has significantly improved his performance.
"Playing for a club like Liverpool comes with pressure and constant scrutiny. I've started to understand that over the past two years," he said. "You have to strive for consistency every time you step onto the pitch. It requires hard work daily and taking care of yourself because the Premier League is relentless. Last season was disappointing; it wasn't something I could control, just bad luck with injuries. You have to do your best to stay fit and healthy."